Capacitor Array Power Supply for NFC Battery Life Extension
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable medical devices using NFC technology face battery life issues due to high power consumption, leading to rapid depletion of button batteries, which cannot sustain operations for extended periods without charging or replacement.
Innovation Solution
A power supply arrangement utilizing a series connection of smaller capacitors to create a large capacitance, reducing leakage and internal resistance, thereby extending battery life and stabilizing current output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a single large capacitor is used to extend battery life, then current output capacity increases, but leakage increases and device footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single large capacitor into multiple smaller capacitors connected in parallel. This segmentation maintains the total capacitance value needed for extended battery life while reducing the leakage current associated with a single large capacitor. Each smaller capacitor contributes less leakage, and the parallel configuration ensures the cumulative leakage is lower than that of an equivalent single large capacitor.
2Power
If a single large capacitor is used to increase current output, then power reserve increases, but device footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments a single large capacitor into multiple smaller capacitors that can be arranged in a compact configuration. The parallel connection of these smaller capacitors achieves the same total capacitance and current output capability as a single large capacitor, but with reduced individual component sizes that can be more efficiently packed within the device footprint.
3Loss of energy
If multiple smaller capacitors are connected in series to build large capacitance, then leakage is reduced, but voltage distribution complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parallel connection of multiple smaller capacitors rather than series connection. This parallel segmentation achieves the desired large capacitance value while maintaining simple voltage distribution across all capacitors (they all experience the same voltage). The parallel configuration reduces leakage compared to a single large capacitor and avoids the voltage distribution complexity that would arise from series connections.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prolongs battery life by maintaining stable current supply, preventing spike currents, and reducing battery damage, ensuring operational longevity of NFC-enabled devices.
Implementation Method 1
The capacitance 22 has a capacitance value that is greater than 500 microfarads. The capacitance 22 is electrically connected in series with the battery 20 to deliver power to the NFC microcontroller.
Implementation Method 2
Because of the small footprint of the device, multiple smaller capacitors are connected in series to build up the large capacitor value. The arrangement preserves battery power by reducing the leakage typically present when using a single large capacitor.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns a power supply arrangement for a portable electronic device. The inventive arrangement uses a large value capacitor in the power supply circuitry to extend the operational life of the battery. The large capacitor builds up the power reserve thereby increasing current output. Because of the small footprint of the device, multiple smaller capacitors are connected in series to build up the large capacitor value. The arrangement preserves battery power by reducing the leakage typically present when using a single large capacitor. The arrangement also effectively reduces the battery's internal resistance.